Boomtown in Mumbai

Jul 19, 2015, 06:56 IST
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Benita Fernando

Shailendra Singh on what the fan can expect at the live streaming of Tomorrowland this Friday

This Friday night, the city’s many EDM fans get the chance to dance till they drop at Tomorrowland, the world’s biggest dance music festival, with their feet tapping right here in Worli. Every year, 4,00,000 fans book their tickets for Boom, Belgium, for this electronica fiesta. If you haven’t managed, don’t let your spirits be dampened yet.

For the first time, Tomorrowland’s management has decided to live stream some of the gigs, and India is one of two countries to benefit from the Unite: Mirror to Tomorrowland concept (the other is Mexico). Percept Limited, the company behind the live-stream act, will stream the EDM goodness of Armin van Buuren, Martin Garrix, Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike. Sunday mid-day spoke to Shailendra Singh, joint managing director at Percept, on what’s going to keep the fans dancing.

Q. Why did you want to bring Tomorrowland from Boom to Mumbai?A. This year, Tomorrowland has two more editions (at Sao Paulo and Atlanta) which connect the entire world through the common language of dance music. We chose this edition because it is in Boom that Tomorrowland was born in 2005. I have always said that dance music has the power to socially unite. This live stream experience will help us get closer to that idea.Moreover, this Indian generation of dance music fans is obsessive and compulsive. Almost 10,000 Indians attend Tomorrowland every year; this Tomorrowland live stream is dedicated to those who can’t make it.

Q. What can fans expect?A. Brand Tomorrowland is a big enough attraction by itself. But, we plan to elevate the experience on-ground as well. We are bringing in a fan park concept, replete with lasers, pyrotechnics and, most importantly, in-sync sounds. When the pyros and air pistols go off at Tomorrowland, the same will happen here. City fans will interact with fans in Boom in a virtual digital live experience.

Q. How will this experience impact the country’s EDM scene?A.The live stream experience has the potential to unite many more forms of dance music. Yes, it comes with a budget, but it’s a very creatively charged experience that can enhance and positively change the future of the dance music scene in our country.

Q. Why not, instead, work towards an India edition of Tomorrowland?A.There’s no point in an orgasm without fair foreplay. Have some patience...let’s not rush it.